Mate, I am 60, turning 61 in a few weeks and loving the cruising life.
Surf every day when the surf is on and really enjoy living aboard.
Buy the biggest boat you can afford, I am on a 39.7 foot sloop, as you spend most of the time at anchor, so it is important to be comfortable.
Get the best anchorwindlass you can and plenty of 10mm chain and the biggest anchor your windlass can handle, make sure your anchor locker allows all this gear to self stow, with remote controls at the helm and bow, then you can SLEEP SOUNDLY AT NIGHT!!

Apart from this everything else seems to be OK on all of the boats I have looked at?

Don, in the 90s your twin was a construction'development foreman for me in Springfield.

Surfmachine, if I bought the biggest boat I could afford I'd need a crew or I'd be working my tail off. But I understand what you're saying.

Anchoring is an art I have not yet learned, at least not in deep water. My favorite anchor is a concrete filled bucket with rebar sticking through it and it works well at the lake.

I'm watching the hurricaneweather and seeing the TV folks at many docks. I won't take up space here asking questions about how and why they did what they did there.

I have not seen a long narrow boat suitable for my expectations, I say expectations since I don't really have "needs" they are "wants". LOL
But at 26 - 32 feet or so, an 8' beam is hard to find as I really want to trailer without special permits or an escort. So it's looking like a bigger boat for the liveabord and go exporing with a smaller boat. But I'd really like to take my main boat inland to the shallows. I'd be a gator watcher.

Only two listed on Yachtworld at the present but they show up with trailers on a regular basis. These boats would take a hefty truck to tow but I'm not aware of a more suitable boat for serious living aboard and cruising than these. The boats are similar to Lynn and Larry Pardey's Lyle Hess cruiser that they've sailed around the world. Check their books out for the tale. The aft cabin is a bit of a joke but people who own them say it's usable as other than a larger lazarette. Many people live aboard and have cruised them the world over.

Thanks, yes thoseare beautiful boats. I have enjoyed looking at the Norsea boats for some time and have read several cruising stories aboard them. They are a little pricey for me at the top of the budget (in fact above) and there will be some funds for preparing any boat I'm sure. The aft cabin looks very nice but is also a bit of a problem in poor weather. Draft appears to be a problem as well, one said something like 3'+ but a picture of another the Keel was 3' at least and the water line looked to be another 3'+.And yes, I'd have to sell my little F 150 and go to about a 3 or 450 diesel I'm sure.

With that being 27', seems it's about the right size, interior looked very nice and livable, I'm afraid I "need" a lighter boat and this may not be possible, if not I could accept that when I figure out where I'd like to anchor.

Simplicity of operation is important, easy to sail, motor, haul outs and I'd like the capacity for a couple weeks provisions.

I understand the suggestion to get the biggest boat, again, there is a maintenance issue and it will be a DIY issue for older lazy guys (lol). Smaller would be better for me I think. Although, I know zeehag has a 41 footer and if she can do I certainly can (lol).

I would think that most important aspect of a liveabord for me would be a decent bert, a double, then a decent head with a stand up shower then storage and fuel capacity, then a galley sufficient to prepare simple meals and lastly a comfortable saloon area and that could be the cockpit if there is sitting room at the berth. Very modest requirements and could be a work boat finish.

Initially I don't see staying at a marina very long, get the cruising aspect out of the way early in good health. Then it might be necessary to buy the bigger marina boat.

I use to bench press 250 without much trouble, I'm probably at half that now, so I have really noticed a difference. Beaching takes a little umph sometimes or pushing a boat fighting some speed boater's wake that passed by. Shallow boating can get physical. I don't need power winches, just an easy boat to operate. If I haven't mentioned it, most will probably be under power and sailing when the weather and wind dictates.

Bruce, I know there are killer deals out there and there will be some more too. Knowing the market is key, being around the market is a big advantage. Where I am I can probably find a great deal on a bass boat! If I mention catamaran in a bar in my town they think I'm talking about a BassCat!

Sailing Partner, so, there is a cougar on board...LOL, I'm one to talk....
have a great time, I'd like to be there as well!

Mike, thanks for the tip, I'm reading all I can find on the Loop and I'll check it out.

Actually, I'm in pretty good shape (don't tell the GF, she brings my dinner to me) and I'm thinking of trying a smaller boat than originally thought, not the money difference, but more of a challenge maybe....or maybe I should get on the list to kayak down the Colorado, I'd do that.

Steezypops, hereinafter "SP", what I am finding the hardest thing to do is to identify really what your requirements are. It's pretty easy to say I want a 40 footer, ketch rig trawler, but not having been on one I try to see myself running to grab a lost line or reefing the main and I just can't picture that. I can picture pushing a throttle forward sitting on my skinny butt. Then try to imagine it being 105 degrees in the shade under a tree along some blackish river with gators, you can't swim there and you just ran out of ice and beer! Then I think of running along the gulf at 15 or 20 knots on a cool evening and pulling up to a beach for the evening. So which is it? I know there will be the bad with the good, that's part of life and what makes life an experience. In other ways (sports or Army) I've been there done that too, not sure I need some more of the rough'n it stuff anymore. Identifying really what I want to do and how to do it seems to be a mental block. Knowing that I can then define the requirements for a boat, seems it's the first hump to get over and then things will fall in place. Any suggestions?

WW- Here are my thoughts on how I am choosing a boat 1) $$$ 2) given point one, I want a boat that can provide my kids some privacy (Cabins). The problem here is that I have a seven year old girl and a 16 year old boy. I have been able to find 3 cabin boats in the 40' size but not less. 3) I want a boat that will require the kids get involved as I am using this whole adventure as an educational tool. 4) Vanity . . . I just think that boats like the Hardin sea wolf are sexy. Of boat must be seaworthy and of fair quaility. My boy and I are extremely handy and mechanical so we sill be able fix, repair and retro-fit on the fly. We will be sailing the Pacific coastline and spending most of our time in OR, WA, Canada and maybe even Alaska. I will try and avoid SoCal, due to their unfriendly nature to liva aboards. I would love to take the kids to Mexico and So America, but at this point I don't think it is a real smart thing to have a 7 year old little cute blond girl in mexican waters. I am totaly open to any criticism anybody might have to my though process here. The way figure it, it is better to get slapped around while you are still on dry land.

Totally agree Don, there are lots of ways to check out, I doubt a bed will be the way I do it! BTW, Don, have you been in SW Missouri?

I think the plan is going together, but it keeps going to a smaller more simplified vessel that will lack many amenities. I think I'm trying to tie too much into one boat. A good liveaboard doesn't seem to make a great river/shallows boat or the other way around. As I mentioned a cat was the boat of choice for a long time but the initial expenses can be huge. A 32 foot Bolger sharpie fitted out as a river cruiser is also at the top of the list, a Tenn, or Wyoming. They all have the min. draft required.

I also want my boat to be insulated for cold weather use. And AC in the summer!

You can have AC installed. I use a 7,000 BTU "Carry-On" from West Marine. Expensive, but it does a GREAT job in hot, humid Florida -- on low.

I do think you just HAVE to have a "less is more" attitude. Nothing goes in my galley unless it can perform three jobs.

LOL, well I think I would have an exception to the rule for a can opener.

I bet that when newbies start out they take everyting they can think of and throw stuff out along the way over time. I'd rather not do that.

The amount of storage really required on a boat may dictate the size. As to clothing, I could pack for a year with an army duffel bag, I doubt my GF can do that.

Use to be I'd stay out with only a backpack for a couple weeks, not counting food, but I'm not seeking that kind of cruising. Seems the biggest provisioning would be food,then equipment and then personal items.

As far as family goes, it's only the two of us, but I'd like room for friends on occassions. If I had teens they could sleep in the aft berths that so many smaller boats have under the cockpit and divided off. Curtains would have to do for privacy.

Age has alot to do with the comfort level one is willing to accept. While it might be that a 42 foot boat is easily operated by some old salts, I would not be comfortable starting out in a boat that size. Mine will have to be set up for easy single handed sailing and not be alot of work or require me jumping through my tail, running to accomplish some task. The requirement that I have for it to be trailerable seems to limit the size anyway. I'm thinking 24 to 32 foot now.

The ability to keep watch, being alert might be an issue with age as well. Even now I find myself nodding off in front of the TV after dinner. My cruising plans are not to cross the Atlantic, so I'm sure I can find safe harbors along the way. I hope it will be enjoyable and not a test of endurance all the time.

I'd also like toknow what others seem to think of what has to be on board as a comfort item. I'd rather not jump off the bow of some boats onto shore, so does that mean a ladder or gang plank? Have to have a laptop, so that means batteries and that could be solar for the computer but a refridgerator will take some real juice, so there is a genset, the boat keeps getting bigger!

If a small trailerable sailboat that can also sea some blue water is your direction, might I recommend a pacific seacraft 25. I lived aboard mine for several years and absolutely loved her. She trailers well, has a sweet plumb bow and sten hung rudder. There is no standing headroom down below, but she surprisingly spacious, I never felt cramped. She loves light weather and gets mighty stiff in heavy, she loves 30 knots just as much as 7, great boat. It has the pacific seacraft quality, thick hull, beefy hardware, strong rig.

Before crossing the ps off your list because of headroom, go sit in one. Me, I just learned how to put my pants on while standing in the hatch, hopefully while a neighbor isn't walking by :-)
Mrs. Rain Dog

It's not that I'm not willing to travel to look at a boat, I'm not willing to spend thousands of dollars doing it. I have bought houses sight unseen based off an appraisal, so I'm not chicken, but I know the appraiser and I know the market, I can use the term "expert" without leaving town. I have purchased cars and motorcycles off ebay and all worked out fine, but I can blow up pics and really see what is there. I can't do that with a boat sitting in the water, or see the soft spots in a hull, totally different.

You are definitely not too old. I understand what you mean above about spending a lot to look at a boat. Have you considered looking in the Great Lakes area? There are many nice boats around here and many cruisers that have come home. I picked up a nice one out of Michigan. Make sure to see the Great Lakes during your learning time. Lots to see and learn. If you do plan to buy a sailboat look into an ASA class as part of a vacation. They aren't cheap but teach you a lot and quickly. There are ladders that have fold out swim platforms from Dive N Dog for a couple hundred dollars. Let me tell you where there is a will there IS a way.
SC

There has been quite a bit of chatter on how to choose a boat and in the past few days I have come up with the analogy below. Being divorced for over a year and financially devastated by that previous choice. My decision for what kind of boat I want is really quite pragmatic and very similar to the kind of woman I will choose in the future (that’s why we give boats female names, right?) 1) I listed the things that I must have in a boat. 2) I listed the things I will not put up with from my boat. 3) Will the boat fit my lifestyle? 4) Sure the boat may fit my needs now, but can I depend on it in the future as me and my family evolves and changes.That sounds more like I am on a dating website . . . kinda creepy but accurate.

you can place so many things on paper, but when you find the boat that brings out your passions, you will get her.
is never too late, doesnt matter the STUFF you have--is all expendable.
just DO it, and sailing makes ye stay young.

when you find just the boat you need/want, the stuff will come .... never fear... tooo much stuff will come...